Chamber of Commerce President Mike Trafton presided over his first public gathering Thursday, introducing Mayor Dean Maxwell for his annual “State of the City” message. Maxwell and Trafton are childhood friends, which provided material for a few light moments (“Did you ever face Judge Gene Anderson? Boy, you didn’t want to do that twice.”). In addition to a department by department review of 2009 accomplishments, Maxwell said 2010 will feature an upgrade to the city’s water treatment plant on the Skagit River in Mount Vernon. He also took the opportunity to thank all who volunteer for the city (“Volunteers are key to the level of service we provide.”), and he thanked all who have contributed to the ongoing effort to repair a burned section of the Tommy Thompson Trail trestle. Once again, the Chamber of Commerce luncheon featuring the city’s elected executive drew a large crowd including not only business people but elected officials and public servants. The mayor said he will post his Year in Review text at the city website: www.cityofanacortes.org.
